"in Defence" 2000

Although it's only a teaser for a forthcoming ten-CD set, the three-CD Solo box is a pretty comprehensive look at Freddie Mercury's less rock-oriented solo career. Mercury's two albums from the '80s, 1985's Mr. Bad Guy and 1988's Barcelona, are repackaged in their entirety as separate discs; there's also a third disc of rarities, including Mercury's pre-Queen solo single "I Can Hear Music" (recorded as Larry Lurex), his movie soundtrack contribution "Love Kills," and his non-LP U.K. hit cover of "The Great Pretender." In addition, the set has been remastered and comes with a 28-page booklet.

Jephtha was the last full-length composition that Handel wrote. (The Triumph of Time and Truth of 1757 was almost entirely made up of pre-existing music.) Given this fact, and also that the actual writing of it was an inordinately laborious task for Handel as he fought with rapidly failing eyesight, it's incomparable depth of expression and personal commitment make the whole work a profound and magnificent conclusion to his life's output. Based on a story from Judges XI, it tells of Jephtha leading the Israelites against the Ammonites and his ultimate sacrifice.

In My Defence is a ballad performed by Queen lead vocalist, Freddie Mercury. The song was written by Dave Clark, David Soames and Jeff Daniels for the musical Time…

The Solo Collection is a box set detailing the solo career of Freddie Mercury; it includes the material Mercury recorded before joining up with Queen, up through the 1993 No More Brothers remixes. Mercury's singles and two studio albums are included, as well as a disc of instrumentals, numerous rare tracks, and a set of interviews conducted by David Wigg.